Garmin confirms Ben King signing for 2014

American Ben King is set to join Garmin-Sharp for 2014, the team confirmed on Thursday. King, the former U.S. road champion, will transfer from the RadioShack team that has been his home since his neo-pro season in 2011.

“I’m really excited to join Team Garmin-Sharp next year. I have a lot of respect for the team and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of what Jonathan Vaughters has put together,” King said in a press release. “I was teammates on the U.S. National Team with Andrew Talansky and Alex Howes, so we work well together, and I will consider myself lucky to race alongside all the guys on the team. I began my international racing career on Cervélo with the HotTubes Junior Development team, so its nice to come full circle with them.”

King, who signed with the Garmin team prior to the finish of the USA Pro Challenge in August, is one part of a major facelift at Garmin. Other new signees include Phil Gaimon, George Bennett, and neo-pro Nathan Brown. Additional signings are expected to be announced soon from the Boulder, Colorado-based team. Christian Vande Velde, Tyler Farrar, and Peter Stetina are among the riders departing the squad after 2013.

“Ben is a great young rider with a lot of promise and we look forward to continuing to help him develop his considerable talent,” said team CEO Jonathan Vaughters.

Brian Holcombe

Brian Holcombe is the editor of VeloNews.com. Holcombe joined VeloNews in 2009 following years spent introducing students to whitewater kayaking and working in avalanche control, among other more risky ventures. A Master of PR and Marketing Communications, his graduate work at the University of Denver focused on innovation, digital media management and custom publishing. Holcombe is a CSU Ram fan and proud parent, and has been accused of attacking too much on the VN lunch ride. Follow him on Twitter @FCBrian.